Building the Foundations of Faith: The Religious Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of Catholic Elementary School Teachers of Religion

The Catholic elementary school teacher assists the Church in its evangelizing mission. Teachers do this by their instruction and example. This research report presents data about those Catholic elementary school teachers who daily teach and model religion to the students; they are the school’s catechists. Two generations ago such a report would have been considered superfluous. During the past 50 years, however, a gradual transition has taken place among these catechists, from their being predominantly priests or members of religious communities to their being today almost exclusively laywomen and laymen. Because these catechists bear such a grave responsibility, those in leadership positions in the Catholic Church need to understand the background of these catechists, their understanding of the Catholic religion, their practice of their religion. In addition, these leaders need to know what factors have contributed to the positive formation of these catechists. This research report presents the answers to these questions. Augustinian Father Paul W. Galetto conducted this research as part of his doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America. Father Galetto has not only analyzed the data but in his final chapter he offers some very thought-provoking suggestions for providing effective continuing education for these catechists.